Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

One of my favorite holiday season events is almost here. It’s the 15^th annual New Year’s Day book sale at Changing Hands Bookstore. Much more than just a book sale, it’s an event that is eagerly anticipated by book lovers and fans of Changing Hands who wouldn’t dream of missing it, regardless of how much they celebrated New Year’s Eve. The store will be open from noon until 9:00 pm on January 1^st to accommodate every last one of them.

True, with everything in the store—books, gift items, music, cards—discounted 25%, this is a big sale. However, there are also a lot of delicious free treats provided by area restaurants, including Wildflower Bread Company, Trader Joe’s and Mac’s Broiler Tap. There are intangible qualities too, such as the camaraderie among all those readers who love to browse bookstore shelves for great reads and who love to talk about what they’ve read. Readers tend to be nice, sociable people who love to strike-up conversations about favorite books and authors, while waiting in the check out line. I have to admit that the first time I went I was a bit reluctant to stay because the check-out line was so long. But, really the line isn’t a big deal because it moves quickly thanks to all the lively discussions about books along with plenty of tasty nibbles offered by the considerate and efficient staff. And, singles take note: the book sales lines can lead to romance as was the case for one couple, who met in the check out line, fell in love and were married a year later.

Changing Hands Bookstore has been an important part of Tempe’s literary arts scene since 1974. Beyond the book sale, there is a hefty schedule of first class literary activities for adults and kids every month, including author events and book signings, workshops on writing and publishing, poetry readings and book clubs. There are also monthly sessions devoted to tarot and readings, conversational Spanish and French and sign language.

For old friends of Changing Hands, the annual book sale is an essential holiday tradition not to be missed. For first-timers, it’s a wonderful way to become acquainted with this gem of an independent bookseller. For everyone, it’s a chance to stock up on great books (both new and gently used) and to meet new friends who have at least two things in common: a passion for books and an appreciation of outstanding bookstores like Changing Hands. I’ll be there for sure. Will you?

The shopping season is in full swing and thankfully that means that the Tempe Festival of the Arts can’t be far behind. Everyone’s favorite Tempe event is happening along Mill Avenue from 10 a.m. to dusk, Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6. Admission is free. There will be more than 400 artists selling their handmade paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and much, much more. There are collection-worthy masterpieces as well as arts and crafts for art lovers with a limited budget. And, it’s a great chance to meet the artists. They will be on-site to greet festival attendees.

Mill Avenue will also be sprinkled with musicians, street performers and activities for the whole family to enjoy. There is a cottage edibles and crafts section with tasty treats and perfect, inexpensive holiday gifts. Be sure to complete your holiday shopping early this year at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. For more details, visit www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving is over, the tryptophan has all worn off, the amazing leftovers all but devoured. Now the holiday shopping mayhem begins, and of course we have all put it off until the last minute because the months have just flown by. If you, like many others, were brave enough to shop at Tempe Marketplace, Arizona Mills or the Mill Avenue District this past weekend for Black Friday, you know first hand that getting a great deal is what shoppers are all about this holiday season. It is now Cyber Monday which is great for those of us who can’t handle the crowds and the chaos of in store shopping but still want a great deal.

This weekend, December 4-6, on Mill Avenue is the 41st Annual Tempe Festival of the Arts which is another great place to look for gifts for the art lover in your family. Or if you are just looking for something to do it is a great way to spend the weekend, walking around Mill Avenue with friends enjoying the fact that the weather is still amazing and it is the first weekend of December. The vendors have art on display ranging from affordable to very expensive, and admiring is also welcome. I would suggest taking the Light Rail because Mill Avenue will be closed off for the Festival. In conjunction with this event the Arizona Wine Growers Association hosts the Arizona Wine Festival. Admission is $10 to the wine festival and includes 6 tastings. Admission to the Festival of the Arts is free.

Now to check the book enthusiast in your life off your gift list, head on over to Changing Hands Bookstore and find them just what they need, whether it be their favorite book or a gift card so they can pick something out on their own. While you’re at it you can take some of your old books to trade in to save yourself some money. It is easy to loose track of time there with their great selection of both new and used books, luckily Wildflower Bread Company is right next door so you can grab a quick bite to eat or have breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Just in case after all the holiday shopping you still haven’t quite gotten into the holiday spirit, you should head down to Tempe Town Lake for the APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade on Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a variety of festively lit boats and people are invited to enter their festively lit vessels as well . The event will be topped off with a fireworks finale. 

I hope you all enjoy your holiday season – don’t forget what it is all about!

The holiday season in this part of the world really is the most wonderful time.  We are blessed with the weather to celebrate, which inspires some of the most elaborate outdoor holiday decorating frenzies anywhere.  Climbing around on the roof, ala Clark Griswold, installing lights isn’t half bad when it’s a splendid, sunny seventy something degrees. The balmy temperatures and lack of precipitation result in creative displays and throngs of spectators who comb the neighborhoods nightly in search of their favorite displays.  

We are also blessed with local holiday traditions that keep us in a festive mood.  One of my favorites is the 41^st Annual Tempe Festival of the Arts.  It’s coming up next weekend, December 4-6.  For three days, The Mill Avenue District  is closed to traffic to accommodate the booths of 400 artists and craftspeople.  There’s also live music, street performers, a wine festival and a Kids Innovation Station where the kiddos can create their own beautiful works.  While the Midwesterners and East Coast folks are bundled up against the elements doing their holiday shopping, I’ll be doing mine in capris, shirtsleeves and sandals at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. 

There’s always great theater for families throughout the holidays and this year is no exception. All you fans of the Junie B. Jones books will love Childplay’s production of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at the Tempe Center for the Arts now through December 27.   

Remember stalwart and lovable Ingalls:  Ma, Pa, Laura and Mary from Little House on the Prairie? Or how about the irritating Nellie Olson and Harriet, her equally annoying mother? They’ll be singing and dancing they’re way back our hearts in Little House on the Prairie, the Musical at ASU Gammage, December 8-13. And Leapin’ lizards, you and the kids can leap into the New Year with that other family favorite, Annie, which returns to ASU Gammage December 29-January 3. 

I’m lucky to live in Tempe, where the winters are calm, the livin’ is easy and the holidays really are warm and relaxed.  I would love to hear about your Tempe holiday favorites too.  

The holiday season is upon us! Head to Arizona Mills for Black Friday deals! Doors open at midnight on Thanksgiving night so you can get an early start on their Holiday shopping lists.

It’s also time to go see Santa! Arizona Mills will kick-off the holiday season with the arrival of Santa Claus on Friday, November 13. Children can see Santa and have their photo taken with him through Thursday, December 24. Santa’s Workshop is located in the Food Court, so enjoy a yummy meal before or after your visit with Santa!

SANTA PHOTOS HOURS
Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Breaks: 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Break 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Christmas Eve 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Break 1 p.m. – 1:45 pm

Memorial Day weekend is upon us! Head to Tempe Marketplace this weekend for lots of options to have fun! Stay cool and see a new blockbuster at Harkins Theatre, or spend the day shopping to find that new perfect outfit! There are also lots of great restaurants to check out while you’re there, so you’ll never go hungry! And, of course, there are dessert options too! Head to Cold Stone Creamery or MoJo yogurt to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Tempe Marketplace also has entertainment handled for your Memorial Day weekend. Tonight you can see The Lounge Kats, a top 40 cover band, play at the District Stage from 7 to 10 p.m. Tomorrow night, May 23, head to D’arcy McGee’s Irish Pub for their One Year Anniversary Party! There will be drink specials and live entertainment from 8 p.m. to close! If you want to listen to some alternative music, check out Pheed at the District Stage on Saturday night also from 7 – 10 p.m.

If you want to have a great weekend with the planning already done for you, head to Tempe Marketplace! For more information visit http://www.tempemarketplace.com. If anyone has any other fun suggestions for things to do this weekend let me know – the more the merrier!

A new store just opened at University & Hardy (between Harlow’s and the Tack & Feed) called Time Warp. They have a lot of retro stuff at the best prices I’ve ever seen. Very cheap and lots of goodies. I’ve been in there a couple of times and I’m still shocked at how cheap most of thier stuff is. Great place to shop, highly recommended.